FAQ

Where are we going?

• • Washington, DC! We’ll be staying at Hotel Zena with programming happening across the city.

How many people can we bring?

• • Each school community may bring four total participants: A system leader, principal, and two additional team members leading CCL work.

When are we going?

• • Fellows / System Leaders will arrive at the hotel on Monday, March 23 by 4pm ET.

  • All other participants will arrive at the hotel on Tuesday, March 24th by 4pm ET.

  • We will adjourn on Friday. Friday is held as flexible “choose their own adventure” programming to allow teams to utilize the time and space in way that best serve you, and may include the below. Please coordinate with your team and book your travel home anytime on Friday.

    • Team-building / Enjoying DC

    • Team planning time

    • Heading home early

How long is the convening?

• • RC3 Fellows: Arrive by 4pm ET, Monday, 3/23 , depart anytime on Friday, 3/27

  • Design Teams: Arrive by 4pm ET on Tuesday, 3/24 to, depart anytime on Friday, 3/27

What are we doing?

• • Please see the daily agenda under Home for a full schedule of the week’s activities! The convening will include a welcome reception, a full-day design sprint, school visits, time to explore Washington, DC, and shared meals with fellow participants.

What should I wear?

• We invite everyone to come as they are and wear whatever helps them feel most comfortable and confident throughout the experience. Our goal is to create a space where you can focus on collaboration, creativity, thoughtful design, and the impact we’re working to create for students.

What should I bring with me?

Along with clothes for the week, we recommend bringing the following items:

• Driver’s license, state ID, or passport

• Laptop and charge

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Light jacket, coat, or sweater

• Umbrella or rain jacket

• Reusable water bottle

What will Transcend cover in terms of travel costs?

Transcend will cover the following for the duration of the convening:

• • • All flights and ground transportation to DC

    • Rideshares to and from the hotel to DC-area airports

    • Hotel lodging (4 nights for Fellows; 3 nights for Design Teams

    • Group meals for the during program times

Participants will be expected to cover:

• • • Transportation to and from your home/departure airport or transit station

    • Any meals or personal expenses during your travel

    • Meals outside of the scheduled program

    • Room service and incidental expenses incurred at the hotel

    • Accommodations or costs associated with trip extensions 

How do I book travel?

• • Flights are booked through TravelPerk, which will automatically bill the price of flights to Transcend

  • Fellows / System Leaders will book their own flights and receive separate booking instructions.

  • Travel Captains will work with all other team members to book on behalf of their full team.

What do travel captains do?

This elite group of individuals will:

• • • Book round-trip flights for design team members by February 23

    • Ensure all travelers complete the travel survey by February 25

    • Coordinate transportation between the airport and hotel via rideshare March 23–27

Should the travel captain be someone who is traveling? Can they be an administrative person?

• • An administrative person can do the first two components (booking flights, and ensuring all teammates complete the travel survey). However, there must be a designated person who is traveling with the team who will coordinate rideshare to and from the DC airport and hotel.

What if my team prefers to travel by car or ground transportation instead of flying?

• • Travel Captains should raise this preference by February 6th to Melody

  • Train or bus travel: You will book tickets via Perk

  • Driving: If you choose to drive, gas expenses can be reimbursed and you will be able to park at the hotel, billed to the Transcend account. Details on reimbursement will be shared separately.

When will travel booking happen?

• • The travel window opens on February 11 for participants, Fellows, and internal staff.

  • All participant travel must be booked by February 23rd. Please plan to complete the travel survey by February 25th to confirm hotel accommodations.

Can I choose my own flight times?

• • Yes, as long as arrival and departure windows are met.

Can team members fly together?

• • Yes, and we encourage all design team members to travel together! System leaders will arrive a day earlier, but should coordinate with Travel Captains if teams would like to travel on the same flights.

Is there a cost limit for flights?

• • Yes. Flights should not exceed $450 per person. If costs are higher, please contact Melody before booking.

I have specific accommodations related to travel - how can I communicate this?

• • Please contact Melody to discuss your needs!

Can I extend my trip?

• • Transcend is unable to cover the additional costs incurred for days outside of programming, but you are welcome to extend your trip using your own funds as long as your transit does not exceed the $450/person price limit.

Can I leave early?

• • We ask that all cohort participants plan to stay through Thursday evening and depart Friday morning. This helps us create a cohesive, equitable learning experience, minimize disruptions, and preserve valuable time for connection and community-building. If you have a pressing need to leave earlier, please reach out to your design partner to discuss.

I need to cancel/change my flight!

• • Transcend is unable to cover the cost of cancellation or flight change fees in excess of the original flight cost. 

  • Contact Melody immediately to discuss next steps.

Other

I still have questions!

• • Please contact Melody Moon via email at melody.moon@transcendeducation.org or via call/text at (916) 212-9220 - please note that she is in PST!

How do I get from the airport or train station to the hotel?

• Once you arrive in DC, you will take a rideshare to Hotel Zena.

• Fellows (system leaders) and travel captains will receive Uber vouchers that allow you to call a rideshare that bills directly to Transcend.

How do I activate my Uber voucher?

• Only Fellows and Uber Captains will receive Uber vouchers. Before traveling, please complete the following steps:

• Download the Uber app on your phone.

• Create an account and add a credit card (your card will not be charged when using the voucher).

• On Monday, March 23, you will receive a text message from Transcend with a link to activate your Uber voucher.

How do I use the Uber voucher when I arrive?

After landing:

• Exit the airport and proceed to the rideshare pickup area.

• Open the text message with the Uber voucher and click the link.

• Accept the voucher in the Uber app.

• Request a ride to: Hotel Zena — 1155 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

• Confirm payment. The voucher will automatically apply to the ride.

• If the voucher does not apply, please save your receipt for reimbursement.

Where do I meet my rideshare at the airport?

• Check the "Know Before You Go" page for detailed rideshare pickup points!